shake, steps would tread the floor and cease, there would be a breath in
her ears, a wind above her head. She would try to pray, but could
remember no words. Sarah would lead her forth, shaking from head to
foot.

"You little silly. I was only playing."

Once, and this hurried the climax of the episode, Mary attempted
rebellion.

"I want to go home, Sarah."

"Well, you can't. You've got to hear the end of the story first."

"I don't like the story. It's a horrid story. I'm going home."

"You'd better not."

"Yes, I will, and I won't come again, and I won't see you again. I hate
you. I won't. I won't."

Mary, as she very often did, began to cry. Sarah's lips curled with
scorn.

"All right, you can. You'll never see Alice again if you do."

"Alice?"

"Yes, she'll be drowned, and you'll have the toothache, and I'll come in
the middle of the night and wake you."